10. Captain BENNasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of His Majesty's Government in respect of the claim of the German Government to include payments made by the German Government to German nationals in calculations of the Dawes Annuities?
§ Mr. McNEILLThe hon. and gallant Member is no doubt referring to the claim, presented in October, 1924, by the German Government to the Reparation Commission, that there should be charged against the Dawes Annuities the compensation paid by the German Government to their nationals in respect of the liquidation of property, rights and interests under the Economic Clauses of the Treaty of Versailles. This claim the Reparation Commission in February, 1925, declined to entertain, and the German Government propose to submit their claim, as they are entitled to do, to the arbitrator appointed under the provisions of the London Agreement of 30th August, 1924.
Captain BENNSupposing the Arbitration Commission allows the claim, what will be the effect on the Debt settlement?
§ Mr. McNEILLAs I have told the hon. and gallant Member, the German Government have taken steps to appeal to the arbitrator, as they are entitled to do.
Captain BENNWould any decision in favour of the German Government he a default as contemplated in the Anglo-French Agreement?
§ Mr. McNEILLThat I cannot say.